Spirometer



(No Model.)

W. H. H. BARTON.

SPIROMBTER.

No. 392,711. Patented Nov. 13, 1888.

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iUNrrnn Smarts VILLIAM H. H. BARTON, OF BROCK'ION, ASSIGNOR TO EDGAR WV. UPTON, OF PEABODY, MASSACHUSETTS.

SPIROMETER,

SPECFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392.711. dated November 13, 1888.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that LWILLIAM H. H. BARTON, of Brockton, county of Plymouth, State of Massachusetts, haveinvented an Improvement in Spirometers, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a speciieation, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

The object of my invention is to produce a 1o simple, inexpensive, and convenient spirometer.

The instrument consists, essentially, of a flexible, collapsible, non-elastic reservoir or bag, preferably elongated or substantially eylindrical in shape, provided with a scale that indicates the cubic contents of the different portions of the said bag when distended or lled. l

The bag or reservoir is provided at one end 2O with a spindle or roll upon which the unfilled portion may be wound, so that the scale will indicate the cubic contents of the part of the reservoir that is filled. The said spindle or roll preferably forms the inlet to the reservoir and is provided with a suitable mouthpiece. One important advantage of this kind of a spirometer arises from the fact that their is no baclipressure of the atmosphere,and the instrument is very light, compact, and inexpensive.

Figure l is a front elevation of aspirometer embodying this invention in the condition assumed when being lled; and Fig. 2, a side elevation thereof in the condition assumed after it has received its contents 'and the unfilled portion has been rolled up, so that the contents ofthe portion which is filled may be indicated by the scale.

The instrument comprises 'a flexible collapsed bag, a, of material that is impervious to air and non-elastic orinextensible,being preferably composed of a thin fabric coated with gum or rubber to render it air-tight. The said bag or reservoir is preferably cylindrical in shape and is provided with'a scale,a, properly graduated to indicate the cubic contents of the different portions of the length of the bag when filled to its full capacity or, in other Words, when expanded to substantially circu- 50 lar cross-sectional shape. l

The bag is made of sufficient length to have a capacity somewhat greater than the maxi mum capacity of the human lungs, and it is provided at one end with a roll or spindle, Z), which is preferably bored lengthwise and open at one end and closed at the other to form an inletpassage, b', provided with a lateral port or orice, b, opening into the bag. The said roll b may itself be properly shaped at its open end to constitute a convenient mouth-piece, or 6c may receive a detachable mouth piece, b3, through which the user blows. In order to empty the bag after it has been filled, it is rolled up from the lower end, which may be provided with a small roll, c, for this purpose, or the hem in the fabric may be suilicient. Then when it is to be used it is unrolled and permitted to hang down from the roll b in its collapsed condition. The person whose lungs are to be tested then blows through the mouthpiece b3 to the full capacity of the lungs, and

will thus partly expand the bag for its entire length. Then the person turns the spindle b so as to wind the upper part of the bag upon it, as shown in Fig. 2, and thus empties the 7 5 upper part, and at the same time completely fills or distends the lower part. In thus Winding the upper part of the bag the scale e is kept at the outside of the roll, and whenthe inclosed air smooths out the Wrinkles in the 8o lower part of the bag the point ot the scale at c2, Fig. 2, where it comes onto the roll, is read, and indicates the cubic capacity of the filled part of the bag below the roll.

The scale may be properly constructed to allow for the tapering portions at either end of the bag where it passes from the cylindrical shape at the main portion of its length to the straight rolls in which it terminates.

Vhen the instrument is not in use the bag go may be rolled up on the spindle b and the mouth-piece b3 removed, if desired, when the instrument will occupy but little space.

The lateral port or orifice b2 opening into the bag should be chamfered or rounded at its edges, so as not to injure the material of the' bag.

l. As an improved article of manufacture, a spiromcter composed of a iiexilble, collapsiroo ble, and non-elastic reservoir provided with a scale that indicates the cubic contents of the portion of Said reservoir that is distended or filled7 substantially as described.

2. The combination of aflexible collapsible reservoir With a roll upon which the empty portion of said reservoir may be Wound and a scale that indicates the eubie contents of the distended portion, substantially as described.

3. The combination of a flexible collapsible bag or reservoir provided with a scale, as described, wth a roll connected with the said reservoir at one end, and provided with an inlet-passage communicating with the said reservoir, substantially as described.

4. The combination of a 'flexible collapsible bag or reservoir provided with a scale, as described, With a roll connected with the said reservoir at one end',and provided with an inlet-passage communicating with the said reservoir and a removable month-piece, substantially as described.

In testiinony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of subscribing Witnesses.

WILLAM II. H. BARTON.

Witnesses:

WARREN T. CornLANn, PARKER P. WILDER, IRA A. LEACH. 

